Apparently seeking to put to rest a weeks-old controversy that has torn asunder the Mburubu Town Union may have finally apologized to the Igwe-Elect, High Chief Ozo Jerry Patrick Onukaibe over allegation of paying N100 million to the Nkanu East Local Government Chairman Hon Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, to get the traditional rulership position.
President General of Mburubu Town Union, Chief Emmanuel Edeh on Tuesday appeared to stash away the bravado he had displayed, exonerating the council boss of any wrongdoing, saying the allegations was a mere rumour being peddled round-town by desperate individuals.
He rendered unreserved apologies to the Chairman, saying that the allegation was in fact misleading and unsubstantiated, especially where he stated that the sum of N100m changed hands.
The President General was quoted thus: “”After due diligence investigation, the Mburubu Town Union Union says it has uncovered the truth about the alleged N100 million Naira kickback offered the chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon Sydney Okechukwu Edeh to endorse a traditional ruler for the community.
‘While being remorseful of the accusation, the community PG decried the desperation of certain individuas, just to tarnish council chairman good image,.
Reacting, Igwe-Elect, High Chief Ozo Jerry Patrick Onukaibe said he thank God that the truth has been told, adding that he has since forgiven all those who accused him wrongly.
He said the allegations was “unwarranted, unfounded and childish”.
Chief Onukaibe,, expressed shock over what he described as “provocative, malicious and unsubstantiated publication ”, adding that he has contributed immensely to the development of the community, and has all it takes to merit an appointment into any office, including the Igweship stool as would be deemed fit by his community.
“As a true son of the soil , and having worked assiduously to help the community I have all it takes to serve my people at any capacity they deemed, I do not need to bribe anyone for the traditional stool.
“I’ve seen many things on the internet but I don’t pay attention to those negative things,” he said.
“Since 2023, a year and several months after our King, His Royal Highness Igwe Emmanuel Ezeh joined his ancestors, there have been pressure for me to contest for the Igweship of the community but I told them I didn’t want to but the pressure was too much so I told them I will think about it.
Several months in to time again, there was no one showing interest for the throne, and it will be senseless to leave the community without a King, I then made myself available to me people.
I was officially presented to the local government chairman, as required by law, for onward, notifications to the State Government. I never gave bribe o fN100m to the local government chairman, directly or in proxy.
“You don’t bribe yourself into a kingship. The people of the community spoke to me at length before I accepted. When the rumour broke out I just laughed, because I knew it was a propaganda and the truth will surely prevail
They tried to defame my character, I’m not the kind of person who likes problems .
“Everyone has their opinion about me but I don’t care but not to the extend of saying I bribed my way,” he added.
